Julia S. Gouw is known for her strategic role at East West Bancorp, where she served as President and Chief Operating Officer. She joined the company in 1994 and climbed the ranks, becoming a key figure in its significant growth,...

Julia S. Gouw is known for her strategic role at East West Bancorp, where she served as President and Chief Operating Officer. She joined the company in 1994 and climbed the ranks, becoming a key figure in its significant growth, especially following the FDIC-assisted acquisition of United Commercial Bank in 2009. Throughout her career, Gouw has focused on aligning performance-based incentives with the company’s success, which has proven effective; under her leadership, East West consistently outperformed its peers in terms of earnings and shareholder returns. Her compensation structure reflects this performance-driven approach, with reports suggesting she earned over $2 million in 2014, primarily through bonuses tied to company performance. Notably, Julia has been instrumental in financial planning and managing risk, ensuring the bank maintained a low ratio of non-performing assets despite market challenges. Her commitment to the company has been rewarded with substantial long-term incentives, underscoring her role in building a resilient banking institution with a strong presence across U.S.-Asia markets.